"Delightful" isn't a word I use very often, but there's no better way to describe The Grand Budapest Hotel. From its pastel coloring that makes it resemble one of the cakes featured in the film to Anderson's use of symmetry and long, static shots, it's very pleasing to the eye. Almost everything in Zero's story of the past is tinted pink, making audiences see it literally through rose-colored glasses and showing how the past is so often romanticized even when things aren't going quite so well.
The script is fast-paced and quick-witted with a quirky sense of humor that matches the film's candy-sweet appearance but gives it a bit of a bite, too. (As a side note, I hate the word "quirky;" it reminds me of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope and people I can't stand, but that's a rant for another day). It's weird, but in an endearing way, and the jokes landed every time. I can't vouch for anyone else, since I watched this alone on my laptop, but I thought it was hilarious and would have loved to see it in a theater.
Grand Budapest's ensemble cast was the icing on the cake. Ralph Fiennes was just fabulous as Gustave H. (although it's very possible that Ralph Fiennes could be in anything and I'd love it; so far I've only seen him in the Harry Potter movies, Red Dragon and Grand Budapest but wow) and he made what could have potentially been an over-the-top obnoxious character endearing. Not to say Gustave H. isn't over-the-top, because he absolutely was, but it's part of his character instead of being his only personality trait, which I've unfortunately seen happen in other media.
Newcomer Tony Revolori as Zero matched Fiennes word for word and beat for beat. He deserves to get more roles and I very much hope they come his way. Jude Law, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton (who I'm looking forward to watching in Birdman), Adrien Brody and Saoirse Ronan were all enjoyable in their somewhat smaller parts as well. As a whole, it's one of my favorite casts I've watched; they all played off each other so well and it made for a fantastically entertaining film.
Though the ending was bittersweet, it was true to the rest of the film. Continuing the dessert comparisons, it's like having a tart jam in between layers of a very sweet cake that complements and enhances the other flavors in the cake. If the movie had a completely happy ending, the cake would be cloying and overpoweringly sweet. I have the biggest sweet tooth ever, but that would have been too much, even for me.
The Grand Budapest Hotel is probably my favorite movie from 2014, though I still have to watch a bunch for the Oscars nominations. Next on my list is Birdman, which I'm hoping to watch tonight. I'm just going to come out and say it: I'm not looking forward to Boyhood. Hopefully it can prove me wrong.
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